Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A little more than a month after a Buffalo man was arrested for his involvement in a cold case murder dating back to 2021, he is now facing additional charges for another cold case murder in the early 2000s.
Richard Fox, 62, was arraigned Thursday morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felonies).
It is alleged that between on or about 2003 and 2004, the defendant intentionally caused the death of Cassandra Watson at a location in the City of Buffalo.
It was on Sept. 26, 2021 when a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in the Town of Portland. The skeletal remains were recovered from the site the next day.
Forensic analysis determined that the human remains had been at the site for more than a decade. The identity of the victim was later determined in December 2024.
Fox was allegedly in a relationship with the victim during the time of her disappearance. The victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement.
It is further alleged that on or about late June 2021, the defendant intentionally caused the death of a second female victim at another location in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 50-year-old Marquita Mull, was later reported missing by her family.
It was around three months later on Sept. 27, 2021, the victim’s body was found during the investigation into the skeletal remains recovered near the hiking trail in Chautauqua County.
Related
Fox is scheduled to return on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted, Fox faces a maximum sentence of 50 years-to-life in prison.
"As a result of the diligent and collaborative work of this multi-agency investigation, I am pleased to announce an indictment against this defendant and the identity of the second victim. The families of Cassandra Watson and Marquita Mull have waited a long time for answers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for the victims," said Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane on Thursday. "Our investigation remains ongoing, and I encourage anyone who may have information about the defendant or the victims to contact my office."
Anyone with further information about Fox, or the homicides of Watson or Mull is encouraged to contact the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at (716)-858-2400.